BROOKSVILLE — For those who dive into the summertime fun of scalloping on Florida's West Coast, there is no end to the value of the experience.

Scalloping provides a chance to socialize with family and friends on the water while snorkeling in safe, clear waters with the added bonus afterward of eating the tasty shellfish, swimming in garlic and butter, in a sea of satisfying linguini.

The more literal value of the mid-summer scalloping season wasn't quantifiable until recently — the economic value to local businesses that see a rush on ice, snorkeling equipment, fuel and convenience foods bought by those hitting the scalloping grounds offshore.

Shell’s recent success in the US Gulf of Mexico includes its deepwater Dover discovery on Mississippi Canyon 612, reported last year, near its Appomattox platform. The well was drilled by the Deepwater Poseidon ultra-deepwater drillship. Sources: Shell, Transocean.

In lieu of the traditional shovel groundbreaking, Miami City Commission chair Ken Russell, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez and Miami city manager Emilio T. Gonzalez (pictured l-r) perform the ceremonial water toss to mark the start of the first Miami Forever Bond project tackling flooding and sea-level rise. (Photo by City of Miami Office of Communications)